Gaffney, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Gaffney, Cherokee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Gaffney?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 156 days in the Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County — the most common reported hazard around Gaffney, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (27 days) and lightning casualties & damage (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 156 | Mar 2026 | May 26, 2022 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Apr 2023 | Jun 24, 2001 · $1.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2005 | Dec 4, 2002 · $9.0 million damage |
| High winds | 10 | Jan 2009 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Sep 2024 | Jan 9, 2024 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | Mar 16, 2017 · $50 million damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Feb 2020 | Oct 7, 2005 · $375,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Gaffney get?
A normal year brings about 1.9 inches of snow to Gaffney, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gaffney 6 E weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (0.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Gaffney?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 34 miles west-southwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Gaffney | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 34 mi west-southwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 84 mi south-southeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 124 mi northwest | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Gaffney
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 98 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gaffney, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 14 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on December 29, 2024, which passed about 20 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 331 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 9, 2011.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Gaffney's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Gaffney radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Gaffney, SC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 34 miles west-southwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Gaffney?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Gaffney the lowest scan from KGSP is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Gaffney free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Gaffney, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- York, SC radar 25 mi
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